Daily Archives: December 7, 2011

Jos Verstappen claims that Schumacher cheated en route to his first title

Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen has re-ignited the controversy over Michael Schumacher’s 1994 title success, after claiming that the German used illegal electronic driver aids.

In 1994, the FIA found that Schumacher’s Benneton did indeed contain illegal launch control protocol, which heavily assists a driver from a standing start on the grid. The software was hidden behind an ominously named “Option 13” setting.

However, the sporting organisation was unable to prove that the Benneton actually used this software, although the 1994 French Grand Prix start suggests otherwise.

"I know what happened when we were together at Benetton. People think that I’m
looking for excuses, but I know that his car was different from mine. I always
thought it was impossible. I braked at the limit and I went into the corners as
hard as it was possible. So how could Schumacher have done it? There was something
wrong.
There were electronic driver aids. It was never mentioned, but I am convinced. I
know enough now. Like everyone else, Michael is dependent on his car. For most
people he was a god but he is not superman – in a kart he never beat me.
They [Benneton] will never admit it, but I am convinced. I later asked Flavio
Briatore, who had brought me to Benetton and was then the team manager. He said,
"Let's not talk about it." I know enough."

In 1994, Benneton were also embroiled in other controversies, such as illegaly removing a safety filter from their fuel rigs, speeding up pit stops. However, this also resulted in slightly fiery results, as Verstappen found out in Germany that year, as leaked fuel ignited and set his car ablaze.

The FIA has released the 2012 technical and sporting regulations, with several interesting changes.

The main news is that lapped cars will again be able to unlap themselves under the safety car. This was a procedure carried out up to 2009, but was stopped after the process took too long. However, as lapped cars in the middle of the field has ruined several restarts, such as the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix, the FIA has re-introduced the rule.

As well as this, a 4-hour limit has been imposed on Grands Prix, including time lost through red flags. This comes after the 4 hour and 4 minute-long Canadian Grand Prix, the longest race in F1 history. The 2 hour limit for on-track racing still remains.

Drivers will not be allowed move back onto the racing line after moving off-line to defend their position. Michael Schumacher’s questionable defensive driving against Lewis Hamilton in Monza prompted this clarification.

Drivers may not leave the track without a justifiable reason Sebastian Vettel cutting corners in Korean GP qualifying led many to believe he was gaining an advantage this way by saving fuel and reducing tyre wear.

Also, one three-day test session has been added to the 2012 calendar, but details have not yet been revealed.

The full FIA statement:

FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Changes to the 2012 Technical Regulations

– All engine standard ECU set up and control parameters, which were formerly contained only within a Technical Directive, are now contained within the relevant parts of the Technical Regulations.
– The exhaust tailpipes are now strictly regulated in order to ensure that the aerodynamic effect exhaust gases have on the car is kept to an absolute minimum.
– Better marking of in-car emergency switches operated by marshals are now stipulated.
– The side impact structures will now have to be subjected to a further (upward) push-off test.

Changes to the 2012 Sporting Regulations

– Cars may no longer take part in pre-season testing without having passed all crash tests.
– There will now be a maximum race time of four hours to ensure that a lengthy suspension of a race does not result in a race that could run up to eight hours if left unregulated.
– Before the safety car returns to the pits all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions.
– Cars which were in the pit lane when a race is suspended will now be allowed to re-join the cars on the grid in the position they were in when the race was suspended.
– Drivers may no longer leave the track without a justifiable reason, i.e. cutting a chicane on reconnaissance laps or ‘in’ laps to save time and fuel.
– Drivers may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.
– One three-day test will be carried out during the season, formerly there were none.
– All stewards’ decisions which are not subject to appeal are now in one place instead of being in various places within the regulations.
– All tyres allocated to a driver may now be used on the first day of practice; formerly only three sets were permitted.

Sauber has become the latest team to drop out of the Formula One Teams Association.

The team notified FOTA several days ago, with the news becoming public today. A spokesperson has stated that the team have left for reasons “that have been fully explained to FOTA and will be kept private for now.”

In the wake of Ferrari and Red Bull’s departure from the group, this is another blow to the association that has struggled in recent times to instigate talks on the Resource Restriction Agreement.

Toro Rosso are also rumoured to be on the way out, after it was confirmed that the team did not send a representative to the latest FOTA meeting on Tuesday.

The United States Grand Prix is back on the calendar, as disputes over payments to Bernie Ecclestone have been resolved.

After several failed payments to ringmaster Ecclestone, he hinted that the first race in America since 2007 would be shelved, after comptroller Susan Combs suspended all payments.

However, the Circuit of the Americas has today stated that Bernie has received payment, which has been confirmed by the fact that the race is back on the 2012 calendar.

Construction has also resumed at the circuit, ensuring the track will be completed before its inaugural race on the 18th November.

Here is the full 2012 calendar:

18 March Australian GP
25 March Malaysian GP
15 April Chinese GP
22 April Bahrain GP
13 May Spanish GP
27 May Monaco GP
10 June Canada GP
24 June European GP
8 July British GP
22 July German GP
29 July Hungarian GP
2 September Belgian GP
9 September Italian GP
23 September Singapore GP
7 October Japanese GP
14 October Korean GP
28 October Indian GP
4 November Abu Dhabi GP
18 November US GP
25 November Brazilian GP